Police are set to crack down on ‘close pass’ drivers who fail to leave a safe distance between their vehicle and cyclists in Cambridge.

Force chiefs have been talking to officers in the West Midlands about Operation Close Pass to introduce the clampdown to Cambridgeshire in an effort to protect the “vulnerable road users”, the News has learnt.

And Jason Ablewhite, Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner, has backed the move and called for cyclists and motorists to respect each other.

He said: “I fully support any initiative that improves road safety and reduces injury. Cambridge city in particular is a place where heavy congestion means that cyclists and motorists are vying for space.

“Both cyclists and motorists need to respect each other. Motorists need to give cyclists plenty of space and be patient. Cyclists need to make sure they are clearly visible, especially at this time of year.”

The move comes after cycling groups praised the West Midlands force for becoming the first constabulary in the country to target “close pass” drivers who endanger riders and has been backed by Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner.

Motorists should give cyclists at least the same space as vehicles when overtaking, rules of the road stipulate.

Drivers encroaching that safe passing distance which is considered to be a minimum of 1.5 metres, runs the risk of being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

And terrifying footage released by West Midlands Police has captured instances where cars pass dangerously close to cyclists and almost knock them off bikes well inside the recommended 1.5 metre ‘safe distance’.

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Now the Cambridgeshire force is looking at mimicking the West Midlands operation.

Sergeant Ian Manley, from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, has been leading on the proposals.

He said: “I’ve been liaising with officers in the West Midlands about Operation Close Pass and I’m interested in exploring how we could potentially implement something similar locally.

“Cyclists are vulnerable road users and it’s important that we are doing all we can to make the roads safer for everyone.”

Mr Zeichner said: “It is right that everyone obeys the rules, so I welcome any initiative from the police to ensure that there is proper enforcement. Motorists should always allow proper space, but we have all seen situations in Cambridge where that doesn’t happen.

"Enforcement is part of the answer, but good design is also important, to make it easier for both cyclists and motorists to travel safely.”

Drivers would be offered road-side educational input on safe overtaking but repeat offenders can expect to be prosecuted.

PC Mark Hodson, a West Midlands Police traffic officer and cyclist, said: “Some drivers get tunnel vision; they’re only focus is on getting from A to B as quickly as possible. They don’t pay any attention to vulnerable road users and we’ve attended some horrific scenes where cyclists have been wiped out by drivers who’ve not even seen them.

“Drivers need to consider that a cyclist they are overtaking could be a police officer − and if they don’t pass them safely they could be prosecuted.”

David Cox, chair of trustees at cycling charity UK Cycling, said: “Close passes by motorists are hazardous for cyclists and extremely intimidating; this may be due to ignorance of the Highway Code and carelessness but sometimes it is done deliberately and aggressively.”

The 15-minute road-side education involves officers illustrating the dangers of close passing to drivers on a full-scale floor mat.